Biography : Janise is the Deputy CEO of the Australian Childhood Foundation. She has a Masters of Social Work (research) that examined the role of therapeutic care programs within Australian out of home care systems. Janise has 26 years experience in the field of child protection and child welfare, professional education and therapeutic care. She has experience in child protection, high risk adolescents, public policy analysis, program development and evaluation. Janise has extensive experience in the development of innovative therapeutic programs for traumatised children and young people. She is responsible for the development and implementation of a number of national and statewide child abuse prevention and training programs. In her current role at ACF, Janise has been instrumental in the conceptualisation, development and implementation of the therapeutic care programs with partner agencies. Janise is currently an Adjunct Research Fellow with Child Abuse Prevention Research Australian (CAPRA), Monash University. She also sits on the Board of YMCA NSW.

Summary

The current Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse has highlighted the trauma and pain inflicted on children in organisations around the country. An organisation’s culture must ensure that staff and volunteers do not harm, abuse or exploit children who are involved directly or indirectly with the activities or services provided by the organisation. This presentation explores establishing relevant safeguards in your organisation and the critical aspects of a child-safe environment.